Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions
Core funding for leading Canadian arts organizations
Funding available
Up to 25% of project cost
Deadline
January 16, 2025
Opened July 9, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides core funding of up to 25% of average annual revenues over the last three years for major Canadian arts organizations. It supports artistic programming, public outreach, and activities that strengthen artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Up to 25% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Local
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing and promoting artistic programming
- Building public outreach
- Supporting artistic practice, other art forms and the arts sector in Canada
Documents Needed
- Completed Appendices document
- CADAC data and recent financial statements
- Deficit reduction plan, if required
- Most recent Respectful Workplace/Anti-Harassment Policy
- At least one item of support material
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Artistic organizations
Who is not eligible
- First-time applicants to core funding
Eligible expenses
- All expenses related to developing and promoting artistic programming.
- All expenses related to public outreach.
- All expenses related to supporting artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities funded by another Canada Council program.
- Activities on the general list of ineligible activities.
Selection criteria
- Artistic Leadership (50%): mission relevance, artistic vision, high standards, and commitment to the development of Canadian artists and work. Minimum score: 39/50 for an increase or first-time grant; 29.5/50 to maintain current funding.
- Engagement (30%): program impact, broad and diverse public engagement, diversity of community representation, and leadership in the artistic practice or arts sector. Minimum score: 21/30 for an increase or first-time grant; 16.5/30 to maintain current funding.
- Resilience (20%): organizational capacity, professional working conditions, and financial health. Minimum score: 15/20 for an increase or first-time grant; 9/20 to maintain current funding.
- Respectful and ethical cultural and artistic practices (RECAP): proper attention to First Nations, Inuit or Métis cultural protocols and respectful treatment of cultural materials, or no Indigenous content in the activities.
How to apply
- If you meet the eligibility criteria, click NEED HELP? above to request access.
- Click Apply Now to open the application form.
- Navigate to the Support materials section to review the required information and support materials.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed by a peer assessment committee.
- Decisions are based on weighted assessment criteria.
- Results are usually communicated within 8 months of the deadline.
- If successful, the organization must complete a Grant Acceptance Form before payment.
- Recipients must later submit required reports and financial information.
Additional information
- Guidance and Resources are available to help with portal use, grant applications, and creating an arts CV.
- It may take 3-5 business days to receive a response after you submit a help request.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions Program
What is the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions?
This program provides core funding of up to 25% of average annual revenues over the last three years for major Canadian arts organizations. It supports artistic programming, public outreach, and activities that strengthen artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector.
How much funding can be received?
Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 16, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions program?
To be eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions program, you must:
The applicant must presently receive core support from this funding opportunity.
The applicant must be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization.
The organization must have total revenues exceeding $2 million in each of the last 3 years.
What expenses are eligible under Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions?
Developing and promoting artistic programming
Building public outreach
Supporting artistic practice, other art forms and the arts sector in Canada
Who can I contact for more information about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions?
You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).
Where is the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions available?
The Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions program is available across Canada.